A climber was airlifted to hospital after falling into the sea while scaling Cornwall's 200-metre Commando Ridge.
The RNLI said the climber swallowed water during the minutes he spent in the sea, and a spokeswoman said "there would be cold water shock of some description".
His climbing partner, who called 999 at 12.27pm on Saturday, had abseiled 20 metres down to help him out of the sea and onto a ledge at the southern end of Porth Moina cove.
Two RNLI lifeboats, two Coastguard rescue teams and its rescue helicopter from Newquay were scrambled.
The climber, described as middle-aged, was airlifted from the ledge and transferred to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.
George Deacon, who was at the helm of the all-weather lifeboat, said: "When these reports come in you are still unsure exactly what you are going to find until you arrive on scene.
"I was able to get our inshore lifeboat up close so we could get two crew members on scene to assist with the medical extraction, this ensured that the casualty could get the required medical attention as quickly as possible."
Robert Cocking, also from the RNLI, added: "The crew performed extremely well, and ensured all correct protocols and procedures were adhered to, we wish the climber a speedy recovery and would like to remind everyone out there that if you see anyone in trouble you must call 999 and ask for the coastguard."
The Commando Ridge featured on a Bear Grylls programme on ITV in 2017, in which the adventurer climbed the face with then-heavyweight world champion boxer Anthony Joshua.
Addotional reporting by Press Association.
